"Dead" Live Rock
- Thread starter stanbates
- Start date
JMsAquarium
Member
Yes, all at the start.
orbit
New member
so basically u want to add base rock to live rock if im reading it correctly
does the tank with LR have live stock in it?
if it does that i would not add the "dead" Lr because u will have a cycle
if the tank is empty, u can add the rocks in and let it do its thing
u can do a set up half LR and half base rock, alot of ppl here do it
does the tank with LR have live stock in it?
if it does that i would not add the "dead" Lr because u will have a cycle
if the tank is empty, u can add the rocks in and let it do its thing
u can do a set up half LR and half base rock, alot of ppl here do it
JMsAquarium
Member
I would skim, no lights though.
downhillbiker
New member
i would skim and no lights, and would also seed with live rock in that container too. i think that if you are willing to get some die off and have a longer cycle in the main tank, you could do it in there. but understand that you will get a spike and recycle, and some of your live rock may die. also you will want to rinse the dead rock well because all of the little dead bodies that were in the live rock are now just stuck in there and will mess up your water.
i used a heated pressure washer, and mine has been in a trash can for a week with protein skimmer, powerhead, and heater. its about 40lb dead and 10lb live to seed the dead rock.
i used a heated pressure washer, and mine has been in a trash can for a week with protein skimmer, powerhead, and heater. its about 40lb dead and 10lb live to seed the dead rock.
Ok, well I'll be setting up from scratch with some live sand, and some coral sand (1/2 of each) and then use some base rock with live rock, again 1/2 of each. I will hopefully have a skimmer by then too.
If I stick it all in the tank, how long do you think it will take to cure, from scratch? Its 180 litres, so about 47.5 US Gallons. Also I'll have 2 powerheads in there by then too. Looking to set it all up in the next month or two.
If I stick it all in the tank, how long do you think it will take to cure, from scratch? Its 180 litres, so about 47.5 US Gallons. Also I'll have 2 powerheads in there by then too. Looking to set it all up in the next month or two.
downhillbiker
New member
it depends. not a set time. you just want to run until ammonia, nitrites are 0 and nitrates are 0-20ppm. once ammonia drops to 0 you should start doing small water changes, but none before then. after you stabilize those then add a few fish, NOT BEFORE. this will help give more food for the bacteria to grow. while cycling the ammonia will feed the bacteria and it will be better without fish.
i would say 6 weeks - month before levels drop and fish can go in. 6 months before corals or anemones.
i would say 6 weeks - month before levels drop and fish can go in. 6 months before corals or anemones.
JMsAquarium
Member
Average is 4 to 6 weeks for the cycle to be completed. It can be a tad faster if some of the live rock is fully cured.
Basically it will take as long as needed to establish the beneficial bateria colonies.
Test often, when your water testing reads 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 0 nitrates or as close to ) nitrates as you can get., then your rock will be cured.
Basically it will take as long as needed to establish the beneficial bateria colonies.
Test often, when your water testing reads 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 0 nitrates or as close to ) nitrates as you can get., then your rock will be cured.
JMsAquarium
Member
I would wait until the cycle has completed before adding fishes and/or a clean up crew. Your damsel will probably survive but will suffer form ammonia poisoning anyways, and you will have a fish more prone to diseases. Your snails and onther invertebrates that form your clean up crew will not survive the cycle.
The decaying material from the rock is enough to help the cycle, a raw shrimp will be a better alternative than live critters.
The decaying material from the rock is enough to help the cycle, a raw shrimp will be a better alternative than live critters.
downhillbiker
New member
i dont think damsels are good anyway. they are territorial and hard as heck to catch. bag that idea. WHEN your tank is ready, get the most timid of the fish on your stocking list. go ahead and post your stocking list and we will help you decide if everything will work and what to stock in what order. also tell us what type of corals, clams, ect you plan to keep.
clean up crew comes with the fish, when everything is stable. i also want to emphasize that water quality is the most important thing, so take it slow and make sure it is right. do water changes often...once tank is established.
i do 5 gal a week on 72, so 20/month which is 28%. Go for around 30%/month. weekly changes is best IMO.
clean up crew comes with the fish, when everything is stable. i also want to emphasize that water quality is the most important thing, so take it slow and make sure it is right. do water changes often...once tank is established.
i do 5 gal a week on 72, so 20/month which is 28%. Go for around 30%/month. weekly changes is best IMO.
. NOT a fish that plays well with others!
Moonstream
New member
I saw someone metion that you have to wait 6 months after cycle until adding coral, not true. you can easily start adding hardy LPS, softies, zoas and shrooms as soon as nittrate is 0, fish can go in after nitrate is below 40.
